Expanding Study Abroad Capacity at U.S. Colleges and Universities

This is the sixth White Paper in IIE's study abroad capacity research series. It explores critical challenges and potential strategies from the perspective of U.S. institutions to address ongoing needs and solutions for expanding the field of international education for U.S. students.

To stimulate and help inform the ongoing dialogue about increasing study abroad capacity, IIE has invited its colleague organizations, the Forum on Education Abroad and NAFSA: Association of International Educators, to contribute chapters to this White Paper, adding context to the survey jointly conducted by the Institute and the Forum. A final chapter from the Council for International Exchange of Scholars focuses on the impact of scholar and faculty exchange on study abroad participation.

About IIE's Meeting America's Global Education Challenge White Paper SeriesThrough a series of surveys and dialogs, the Institute of International Education in 2007 launched a new policy research initiative to address the issue of capacity abroad (especially in non-traditional destinations) to host a greatly increased number of U.S. students, and to assure that U.S. campuses have the resources and structures available to prepare and send them.

This IIE initiative, Meeting America's Global Education Challenge, offers educators and policymakers focused data and information on current capabilities and future capacity, as well as recommendations for action to maximize resources and pave the way for substantial study abroad growth.